Sandy, UT (Sports Network) - Landon Donovan propelled the Los Angeles Galaxy
to a 3-2 comeback win over Real Salt Lake on Wednesday at Rio Tinto Stadium as
he scored two goals and assisted on another.
The hosts dominated the early part of the match and took a two-goal lead in
the first 25 minutes with goals from Kyle Beckerman and Alvaro Saborio.
But the Galaxy chipped away at the lead and Donovan netted the first of his
two goals shortly before the half-hour mark, while he set up the equalizer for
Mike Magee five minutes after the break.
And the U.S. international kept going, scoring in the 68th minute to put his
team in front, allowing the Galaxy to claim a second successive win following
a three-game losing streak.
RSL entered the match on a seven-game unbeaten run, and it sure looked like
that streak would continue based on the first 25 minutes of play.
Fabian Espindola was causing plenty of problems for the L.A. defense and he
set up the first goal after nine minutes by pulling the ball back for
Beckerman to finish from six yards.
David Beckham went close with a free kick in the 22nd minute, but Salt Lake
doubled its advantage two minutes later as Espindola's low cross was
redirected past goalkeeper Josh Saunders by Saborio.
The comeback started in the 29th minute when RSL defender Tony Beltran handed
Donovan a goal with a terrible back pass that allowed him to cut in front of
goalkeeper Nick Rimando and roll the ball into the empty net.
Magee and Donovan combined well in the second half and teamed up on the
equalizer in the 50th minute with Donovan playing Magee into the area, where
he rolled a shot past Rimando and inside the far post.
Donovan went from provider to scorer in the 68th after a well-weighted ball
from Magee in midfield drew Rimando off his line. But Donovan got to it first
and rounded the 'keeper, rolling home the go-ahead goal with ease.
Substitute Javier Morales nearly became the hero in stoppage time for RSL, but
his shot from inside the area just managed to sail over the crossbar.
GAME NOTES:
The Sports Network